Fabricio Coloccini ready to step up at managerless Newcastle

Miles Starforth

FABRICIO Coloccini says he’s ready to take more responsibility at managerless Newcastle United.

Coloccini does NOT want to be considered for the managerial vacancy at the club.

The 32-year-old, respected and trusted by club owner Mike Ashley, was among the early favourites for the post with bookmakers.

But Coloccini is not interested in management – yet.

However, long-serving Coloccini will assist caretaker manager John Carver in any way he can at Newcastle, who take on Leicester City in the FA Cup this afternoon.

“Always, the captain has more responsibility than the other players,” Coloccini said.

“I can take that responsibility.”

United were found wanting defensively in the 3-3 New Year’s Day draw against Burnley at St James’s Park.

An 86th-minute goal from George Boyd claimed a point for Sean Dyche’s side, who had struck the woodwork four times.

And Coloccini, himself below-par in the game, says the basic errors that were made against Burnley cannot be repeated.

“The mistakes we made in the second half cannot happen again,” said Coloccini.

“We need to try to get more points at home.”

Newcastle, however, will have to do without defender Steven Taylor, who suffered a season-ending injury against Burnley.

Taylor ruptured his Achilles tendon, and will have surgery next week.

“Fingers crossed, it’s not too long,” said Coloccini.

“It’s a shame for him. He’s a team-mate, and we want him in the team.”

Meanwhile, St Etienne head coach Christophe Galtier, strongly linked with the vacant managerial post at United, says he won’t leave his club during the season.

Should Carver be handed the job on an interim basis until the end of the campaign, 48-year-old Galtier could yet come into the frame as a potential successor to Alan Pardew, who has left for Crystal Palace after four years at St James’s Park.

“I have a commitment to my club and my players,” said Galtier, who was once assistant manager to Alain Perrin at Portsmouth.

“I am and will be the coach of St Etienne until the end of the season.

“Our objective in 2015 will be to have a second half to the season up to the standard of what we did in the first half.”